Lowry needs something to kickstart his season

THERE’S a reason why The Players Championship is called the ‘fifth Major’.

It may not carry the same historic status as a Major but it’s one they all want to win.

Steeped in prestige, the previous winners include Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, Greg Norman and Phil Mickelson.

The exciting thing about this week’s edition is the fact so many top class golfers have a burning desire – and need – to win.

One such player is Shane Lowry who isn’t alone in casting a nervous eye over his shoulder at the Fedex Cup rankings.

Shane is currently 168th on the PGA ladder and, while he isn’t at crisis point just yet, he’s running out of room for manoeuvre.

He showed some improvement in his game with a T34 finish at last week’s Wells Fargo but he needs to produce four solid rounds to be in contention at TPC Sawgrass.

Only the top 125 in the Fedex rankings progress to the play-offs and retain their status for next season.

So with Lowry scheduled to return to Europe for a few weeks, it’s imperative he picks up as many points as he can this week.

He’ll know golf is a fickle sport where past form and reputation count for nothing.

If you don’t have a winner’s exemption you have to keep your card and there’s no doubt Shane is in that position right now. Standing near the precipice does strange things to the mind. Poor form messes with your head and your game suffers. How you deal with the mental demons is key.

On the plus side, Shane will know Ian Poulter finished second here last season after receiving a stay of execution on his playing rights the previous month. It kickstarted his 2017 and gifted him peace of mind, something Lowry would benefit from heading towards the summer. This is the first time since running Rory close at Wentworth in 2014 he has been under the screw to retain his playing rights.

Lowry’s back is against the wall and, as a result, I think we’ll see the best of him this week. With all of the top 50 golfers in the world teeing it up, winning here would be a game-changer.

A grouping of Woods, Mickelson and Rickie Fowler should make for intriguing viewing while Rory Mcilroy, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas make up another blockbuster trio.

Everyone will tee it up in Florida with competing but equally key agendas – climbing the world rankings, scaling the Fedex Cup ladder and amassing Ryder Cup points.

A fast start is vital but the anticipated drier conditions will make this track extremely tricky.

A testing course opens up the field so any number of players could contend over the weekend.

Hopefully Lowry is one of them.

Poulter was 2nd in 2017 and it kickstarted his whole year UNDER PRESSURE Shane Lowry has struggled for form all season and needs a big showing at TPC Sawgrass